2006 Arizona's 8th congressional district election

none February 2026 March 2021 2006 Arizona's 8th congressional district election Arizona presidential no 2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona#District 8 2004 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona#District 8 2008 November 7, 2006 125px Gabby Giffords Democratic Party (United States) 137,655 54.26% 125px Randy Graf Republican Party (United States) 106,790 42.09% File:2006 AZ-8 Election Results.svg County resultsGiffords: #b4c7ec 40–50% #8da9e2 50–60% Graf: #ed8783 50–60% U.S. Representative Jim Kolbe Republican Party (United States) Gabby Giffords Democratic Party (United States) The 2006 Arizona 8th congressional district election was an election for the United States House of Representatives for the open seat of incumbent Republican Jim Kolbe, who was not running for re-election. The primary was held on September 12, 2006, and the two major party winners were Republican Randy Graf, a former state Representative who challenged Kolbe for the GOP nomination in 2004, and former State Senator Gabby Giffords. Libertarian Dave Nolan, who was uncontested in the primary, was also in the November 7, 2006, general election. Graf was considered too conservative for the district. Kolbe withheld his endorsement, and towards the end of the election, the National GOP pulled their support. By election time, most non-partisan analyses considered this race the most likely district to switch hands, which it did, as Giffords won a decisive victory, 54% to 42%. right|300px|thumb|Campaign signs including for Graf, Giffords and Quick Primary Candidates Frank Antenori (Republican), U.S. Army veteranhttps://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/antenori-in-2nd-attempt-at-congress-says-hes-ideal/article_fbabc2a9-8165-5768-989f-a7b7f04881e0.html Antenori, in 2nd attempt at Congress, says he's ideal Arizona Daily Star McCombs Brady January 28, 2012 April 12, 2021 Gabby Giffords (Democratic), former state senator Randy Graf (Republican), former state representative Mike Hellon (Republican), former chair of the Arizona Republican Partyhttps://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/kolbe-wont-seek-re-election/article_a50e25fd-101d-5f92-a51c-0aea3dc91cec.html Kolbe won't seek re-election East Valley Tribune November 23, 2005 April 12, 2021 Steve Huffman (Republican), state representative Michael T. Jenkins (Republican), automobile repair shop ownerhttps://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/promises-promises/Content?oid=1084433 Promises, Promises Tucson Weekly Nintzel Jim June 22, 2006 April 12, 2021 William Daniel Johnson (Democratic), white nationalist activisthttp://www.metnews.com/articles/2008/judi042908.htm White Supremacist Is in Contest With Court Commissioner Metropolitan News-Enterprise Bianco James N. April 29, 2008 6 April 12, 2021 Jeffrey Lynn Latas (Democratic), U.S. Air Force veteranhttps://blogforarizona.net/jeff_latas_is_a/ Interview with Jeff Latas, Democrat for Congress in Arizona's CD8 Blog for Arizona Bryan Michael March 20, 2006 April 12, 2021 David F. Nolan (Libertarian), co-founder of the Libertarian Party Patty Weiss (Democratic), television anchorhttps://tucson.com/entertainment/television/patty-weiss-moving-to-madison-wis/article_554fb50c-3b3d-50d0-8165-690d164671fd.html Patty Weiss moving to Madison, Wis. Arizona Daily Star Long Levi J. November 18, 2007 April 12, 2021 Alex Rodriguez (Democratic), member of the Tucson Unified School District boardhttps://blogforarizona.net/an_interview_wi/ An Interview with Alex Rodriguez, Democratic Candidate for Congress in Arizona's CD 8 Blog for Arizona Bryan Michael April 17, 2006 April 12, 2021 Francine Shacter (Democratic), former Democratic precinct chairwomanhttps://tucson.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/shacter-francine-e/article_fb49104e-739a-11e8-8931-3b914fba9094.html SHACTER, Francine E. Arizona Daily Star June 19, 2018 April 12, 2021 Republican campaign Incumbent Republican Jim Kolbe announced on November 23, 2005, that he would not seek re-election in 2006.https://azdailysun.com/kolbe-ready-to-retire-from-congress-after-10-terms/article_ae3c8e5c-2096-517b-9f89-acad1b864cdb.html Kolbe ready to retire from Congress after 10 terms Arizona Daily Sun Fischer Howard November 23, 2005 April 28, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210428220321/https://azdailysun.com/kolbe-ready-to-retire-from-congress-after-10-terms/article_ae3c8e5c-2096-517b-9f89-acad1b864cdb.html April 28, 2021 live The district, located in Southeastern Arizona and based in the suburbs of Tucson, was Republican-leaning, but competitive: George W. Bush had won the district with 53% of the vote in 2004 (although only 50% in 2000). Kolbe had barely won the seat in 1984, but had usually skated to reelection since then. Even after coming out as gay in 1996, he remained very popular in the district, taking 61% of the vote in 2004. Although Kolbe was generally thought to be all but unbeatable in the district, it was widely believed that it would be very competitive once he retired.https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2005/11/21/daily29.html Business ally Kolbe retiring, 2006 district race wide open Phoenix Business Journal Sunnucks Mike November 23, 2005 May 30, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20110625040200/http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2005/11/21/daily29.html June 25, 2011 live Randy Graf, the primary winner, left a leadership position in the state House in 2004 to challenge Kolbe in the Republican primary. Graf had won 40 percent of the vote and had campaigned almost full-time since.http://www.azcentral.com/news/0913elex-cdeight0913-ON.html September 13, 2006 Giffords, Graf win in 8th Congressional District Jon Kamman The Arizona Republic A supporter of the Minuteman Project, Graf campaigned on a pledge to ensure that illegal immigrants had no path to citizenship and that the border would be further secured.https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/11/us/politics/11arizona.html In Cost and Vitriol, Race in Arizona Draws Notice The New York Times September 11, 2006 Randal C. Archibold Graf previously sponsored a bill (which did not pass) to allow patrons carry guns into bars and restaurants. The GOP establishment, however, considered Graf as too conservative for a district that leaned Republican but gave President Bush only 53 percent of the votes in 2004, and tried to rally voters around moderate state representative Steve Huffman.Conservative Graf Scores Win Over Moderate in Arizona's 8th Marie Horrigan September 13, 2006 http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/09/conservative_graf_scores_win_o.html CQPolitics dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060927201444/http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/09/conservative_graf_scores_win_o.html September 27, 2006 However, another more moderate candidate, former Arizona Republican Party chairman Mike Hellon, also gained significant support, which split anti-Graf support and prevented Huffman from consolidating the moderate lane.https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2006/8/30/241316/- AZ-08: Another GOP civil war gives Dems an opening Daily Kos Daily Kos Staff August 31, 2006 May 12, 2021 Huffman got a boost when the national GOP took the rare step of endorsing and supporting Huffman, putting $250,000 into the race. The other GOP candidates criticized the move as unfair. The national Democratic party spent nearly $200,000, much of it on advertisements critical of Huffman in an effort to help Graf's candidacy, believing Graf would be the weaker candidate in the general election. Huffman's campaign was injured when, according to CQPolitics: "there were allegations that his (Huffman's) campaign treasurer, local real estate broker William Arnold, had stalked Hellon’s ex-wife, state Sen. Toni Hellon". Arnold quit as treasurer after Hellon obtained a restraining order against him, and Huffman's campaign said it had no involvement in Arnold's actions." The scandal expanded when it was revealed that unauthorised photos of Toni Hellon had been posted to a website owned by the same individual who had designed Huffman's campaign website. As a result of the incident, the Tucson Weekly withdrew its support for Huffman. Steve Huffman (R) Federal officials Jim Kolbe, incumbent U.S. Representativehttps://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2006/05/08/daily26.html Kolbe backs business ally Huffman in key contest Phoenix Business Journal Sunnucks Mike May 8, 2006 April 12, 2021 Organizations U.S. Chamber of Commercehttps://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2006/08/07/daily54.html U.S. Chamber makes endorsement in Tucson-area race Phoenix Business Journal August 10, 2006 April 12, 2021 Newspapers Tucson Weekly (endorsement rescinded) Democratic campaign Gabby Giffords, who was former State Senator, resigned from the Arizona Legislature just eight days after Kolbe's announcement, in order to run for his seat. She quickly established herself as the front-runner, largely on the basis of her legislative record. She also gained some beneficial publicity when it was revealed that she was engaged to space shuttle astronaut Mark Kelly. Her only serious competition was longtime KVOA television newscaster Patty Weiss, who ran as a more liberal alternative to Giffords.http://bilerico.lgbtqnation.com/2011/01/from_a_friend_of_gabrielle_giffords.php From a Friend of Gabrielle Giffords LGBTQ Nation Parker Bobby January 12, 2011 May 12, 2021 Results 2006 Arizona's 8th congressional district open primaryhttps://apps.azsos.gov/election/2006/Primary/Canvass2006PE.pdf State of Arizona official canvass September 12, 2006 Arizona Secretary of State April 10, 2021 Democratic Party (US) Gabby Giffords 33,375 26.3 Republican Party (US) Randy Graf 27,063 21.3 Republican Party (US) Steve Huffman 24,119 19.0 Democratic Party (US) Patty Weiss 19,148 15.1 Republican Party (US) Mike Hellon 9,095 7.2 Democratic Party (US) Jeffrey Lynn Latas 3,687 2.9 Democratic Party (US) Alex Rodriguez 2,855 2.2 Republican Party (US) Frank Antenori 2,724 2.1 Republican Party (US) Michael T. Jenkins 2,075 1.6 Democratic Party (US) William Daniel Johnson 1,768 1.4 Democratic Party (US) Francine Shacter 576 0.4 Libertarian Party (US) David F. Nolan 516 0.4 General election Candidates Gabby Giffords (Democratic), former state senator Randy Graf (Republican), former state representative David F. Nolan (Libertarian), co-founder of the Libertarian Party Jay Quick (Independent), geologist and businessmanhttp://www.averagejoeforcongress.com/resume.html Resume Average Joe for Congress 2006 April 10, 2021 http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20061101201256/http://www.averagejoeforcongress.com/resume.html November 1, 2006 dead Russ Dove (Write-in), militiaman and convicted felonhttps://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2006/nativists-0#russ The Nativists Southern Poverty Law Center Buchanan Susy Kim Tom November 2, 2006 April 10, 2021 Leo F. Kimminau (Write-in)https://apps.azsos.gov/election/2006/General/Canvass2006GE.pdf State of Arizona Official Canvass Arizona Secretary of State November 2006 April 6, 2021 Paul Price (Write-in) Campaign Graf's campaign got off to a rough start in mid-September when outgoing Republican incumbent Jim Kolbe withheld his endorsement, citing "profound and fundamental differences" between their views.http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/az08_kolbe/graf_9_16_06.html Congressman Jim Kolbe Press Release September 13, 2006 March 27, 2020 September 14, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20200327204525/http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/az08_kolbe/graf_9_16_06.html dead http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/146516.php 'Profound differences' keep Kolbe from endorsing Graf AZ Star Net September 13, 2006 Associated Press February 27, 2009 September 14, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20090227050043/http://azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/146516.php dead The Arizona Republic wrote that a "victory by Graf would in effect repudiate much of Kolbe's work on what has come to be known as 'comprehensive' immigration reform. In contrast with 'enforcement only,' Kolbe’s plan would create a guest-worker program and an opportunity for undocumented residents to become citizens eventually." In mid-August CQPolitics changed their rating of the race from "Leans Republican" to "No Clear Favorite".http://www.cqpolitics.com//2006/08/big_batch_of_rating_changes_re.html Big Batch of Rating Changes Reflects Stronger Democratic Breeze Bob Benenson August 10, 2006 CQPolitics 2006-09-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20060813081104/http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/08/big_batch_of_rating_changes_re.html 2006-08-13 dead By late September, Graf's position had continued to deteriorate. The Cook Political Report changed their rating from "Toss Up" to "Leans Democratic", http://www.cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_house_comp_sept20.pdf 2006 Competitive House Race Chart September 20, 2006 Cook Political Report 2006-09-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20061024061431/http://www.cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_house_comp_sept20.pdf 2006-10-24 dead and the national Republican Party cancelled about $1 million in advertising support. http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0922graf0922.html GOP cancels $1 mil in Graf ad support Jon Kamman The Arizona Republic September 22, 2006 Two days later, in what was seen as a diminished level of national influence and interest in what had long been considered a competitive race, the national Democratic party also pulled their financial support.http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/147943 National Demos pulling Dist. 8 ads Daniel Scarpinato Arizona Daily Star September 23, 2006 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061019193937/http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/147943 2006-10-19 Endorsements Gabby Giffords (D) Organizations Human Rights Campaignhttps://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-to-host-salt-lake-city-camp-equality-train-activists Human Rights Campaign to Host Salt Lake City Camp Equality, Train Activists for Election 2008 Human Rights Campaign Press release August 6, 2008 April 12, 2021 Newspapers Arizona Range Newshttps://www.myheraldreview.com/news/willcox/range-news-endorses-those-who-dont-mislead-voters/article_bfbed824-5f77-5ee8-8b24-a9225d73cd11.html Range News endorses those who don't mislead voters Arizona Range News October 25, 2006 April 12, 2021 Esquirehttps://www.esquire.com/news-politics/news/a208/esq1106endorsements-192/ Esquire Endorses America Esquire November 1, 2006 April 12, 2021 Randy Graf (R) Executive officials Karl Rove, White House Deputy Chief of Staffhttps://radioopensource.org/elections-06-the-arizona-8th/ Elections '06: The Arizona 8th Radio Open Source Lyon Christopher September 27, 2006 April 24, 2021 Federal officials Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the United States House of Representativeshttps://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/cq/2006/10/06/cq_1582.html GOP Split in Ariz. 8 Provides Huge Opening for Giffords The New York Times Horrigan Marie October 6, 2006 April 12, 2021 John McCain, United States Senatorhttps://mohavedailynews.com/news/116509/snubbed-by-kolbe-candidate-receives-key-support-from-mccain/ Snubbed by Kolbe, candidate receives key support from McCain Mohave Daily News Associated Press October 8, 2006 April 12, 2021 State officials Steve Huffman, state representativehttps://azdailysun.com/news/state-and-regional/retiring-kolbe-says-he-wont-endorse-fellow-gop-graf/article_63822c7e-f1e9-55b8-b5be-364422b81aa2.html Retiring Kolbe says he won't endorse fellow GOP Graf Arizona Daily Sun Associated Press September 13, 2006 April 12, 2021 David Duke, former Louisiana state representative; former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan (endorsement rejected)https://thehill.com/capital-living/in-the-know/20555-etheridge-to-host-fundraiser-for-kucinich Etheridge to host fundraiser for Kucinich The Hill Rothstein Bethy October 21, 2008 April 12, 2021 Individuals Frank Antenori, U.S. Army veteran Organizations Minutemen Projecthttps://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2475262&page=1 Border Politics on the Campaign Trail ABC News Tapper Jake Jake Tapper Miller Avery September 22, 2006 April 12, 2021 Republican National Congressional Committee Debates 2006 Arizona's 8th congressional district general election debates No. Number Date & time Host Moderator Link ParticipantsKey:black #90ff90  P  Participant   black #FFFFDD  A  Absent   black #ff9090  N  Non-invitee   Jay Quick David F. Nolan Gabby Giffords Randy Graf 1https://www.c-span.org/video/?194964-1/arizona-8th-congressional-district-debate October 17, 2006 Arizona 8th Congressional District Debate C-Span April 22, 2021 October 17, 2006 Access TucsonArizona Daily Star Joe BirchallVideoVideo P P P P Polling On September 20, 2006, Gabby Giffords' campaign released an internal poll that showed her leading Republican candidate Randy Graf by 19 percentage points.http://www.giffordsforcongress.com/2006/09/20/gabrielle-giffords-leads-randy-graf-by-19-points/ Giffords' Campaign Internal Poll Giffords for Congress September 20, 2006 September 23, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061004183609/http://www.giffordsforcongress.com/2006/09/20/gabrielle-giffords-leads-randy-graf-by-19-points/ October 4, 2006 usurped mdy-all The poll showed Giffords with 54% of the vote and Graf with 35%. The poll was based on responses from 500 likely general election voters and had a +/-4% margin of error. Results from a second poll conducted during the same time period confirmed a Giffords lead while suggesting a slightly tighter race.http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5449927 1 to 1Direct and Marketing Intelligence Poll KVOA September 26, 2006 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060927041628/http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5449927 September 27, 2006 This independent poll, conducted by 1 to 1 Direct and Marketing Intelligence, showed Giffords with a 12-point lead (Giffords [48], Graf [36], +/-4% MoE). On October 4, Zogby released a poll showing Giffords with a 45–37 percent lead.Results in key House races: Reuters poll Reuters October 4, 2006 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/04/AR2006100400310.html https://web.archive.org/web/20121024182422/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/04/AR2006100400310.html dead October 24, 2012 Poll sourceDate(s)administeredSamplesizeMargin of errorRandyGraf (R)GabbyGiffords (D) Others UndecidedReuters/ZogbyReuters/Zogby October 24–29, 2006 500 (LV) ±4.5% 41% 53% 2% 4%Wick CommunicationsWick Communications October 25–28, 2006 400 (LV) ±?% 35% 50% 4% 11%Zimmerman & Associates and Marketing Intelligence (Arizona Daily Star)/KVOA)Zimmerman & Associates and Marketing Intelligence (Arizona Daily Star/KVOA) October 20–23, 2006 600 (LV) ±4.0% 38% 48% 4% 10%Reuters/ZogbyReuters/Zogby September 25 – October 2, 2006 500 (LV) ±4.5% 37% 45% 2% 16%Bennett, Petts & Normington (D)Bennett, Petts & Normington (D) September 19–21, 2006 400 (LV) ±?% 29% 54% – 17%Zimmerman & Associates and Marketing Intelligence (Arizona Daily Star)/KVOA)Zimmerman & Associates and Marketing Intelligence (Arizona Daily Star/KVOA) September 16–19, 2006 600 (LV) ±4.0% 36% 48% 3% 13%Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Giffords)Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Giffords) September 9–13, 2006 500 (LV) ±4.0% 35% 54% 5% 6%Zimmerman & Associates and Marketing Intelligence (Arizona Daily Star)Zimmerman & Associates and Marketing Intelligence (Arizona Daily Star) September 1–4, 2006 800 (LV) ±4.9% 36% 46% – 19% Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report2006 Competitive House Race Chart http://cookpolitical.com/house/charts/race-ratings House: Race Ratings Cook Political Report 6 November 2006 20 November 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210001/http://www.cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_house_comp_nov6.pdf 27 September 2007Lean D Flip November 6, 2006 Rothenberg2006 House Ratings http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.com/ratings/house House Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report 6 November 2006 20 November 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20061107153417/http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2006/11/2006-house-ratings_06.html 7 November 2006Likely D Flip November 6, 2006 Sabato's Crystal Ball2006 House http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2006/house/ Sabato's Crystal Ball 6 November 2006 20 November 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20061110210331/http://www.centerforpolitics.org:80/crystalball/2006/house/ 10 November 2006Likely D Flip November 6, 2006 CQ PoliticsBalance of Power Scorecard: House http://www.cqpolitics.com/risk_rating_house.html cqpolitics.com Congressional Quarterly Inc 20 November 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20061117202830/http://www.cqpolitics.com/risk_rating_house.html 17 November 2006Likely D Flip November 7, 2006 Results Giffords was declared the winner 37 minutes after the polls closed. Graf conceded defeat at 10:08 P.M. EST.http://projects.washingtonpost.com/elections/keyraces/3/ Washington Post September 29, 2006 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061012042617/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/elections/keyraces/3/ October 12, 2006 Key Race: U.S. House, Arizona District 8 (Open) 2006 Arizona’s 8th congressional district election Democratic Party (United States) Gabby Giffords 137,655 54.25 Republican Party (United States) Randy Graf 106,790 42.09 Libertarian Party (United States) David F. Nolan 4,849 1.91 Independent (politician) Jay Dudley Quick 4,408 1.74 Write-ins Russ Dove 7 0.00 Write-ins Leo F. Kimminau 7 0.00 Write-ins Paul Price 5 0.00 253,720 100.00 Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) By county CountyGabby GiffordsDemocraticRandy GrafRepublicanAll othersMarginTotal#%#%#%#%Cochise17,88949.4%16,80746.4%1,5104.2%1,0823.0%36,206Pima (part)116,04355.3%86,38641.1%9,3733.6%29,65714.2%210,002Pinal (part)2,44946.2%2,72551.4%1242.4%-276-5.2%5,298Santa Cruz (part)1,27457.5%87239.4%684.1%40218.1%2,214Totals137,65554.3%106,79042.1%9,2753.7%30,86512.2%253,720 References External links Giffords campaign website Graf campaign site Nolan campaign site Arizona 8 2006 8 United States House of Representatives 8 Category:Gabby Giffords Arizona 2008 08